Possessive nouns show a relationship of belonging between one thing and another. They are usually formed by using an apostrophe plus an ‘s’ for singular nouns and an apostrophe after the plural ‘s’ for plural nouns.
However, things get a little more complicated with irregular plurals, singular nouns finishing with an ‘s’ and when we want to show relationships.
HOW TO FORM POSSESSIVE NOUNS
1. Singular Possessive Nouns
Add an apostrophe plus an ‘s’.
Examples: The Prime Minister‘s car, Stephen‘s books, the dog‘s bone.
2. Singular Possessive Nouns Ending in S
Add an apostrophe + ‘s’ or an apostrophe only. You have two options with singular nouns ending in an ‘s’:
Examples: St James‘ Park (in Newcastle) or St James‘s Park (in London).
Examples: The bus‘ tyres or the bus‘s tyres.
Examples: Mr Jones‘ book or Mr Jones‘s book.
3. Plural Possessive Nouns With an S
Add an apostrophe after the ‘s’
Examples: The cities’ roads, a countries’ borders, five days’ holiday.
4. Plural Possessive Nouns Without an S
Add an apostrophe plus an ‘s’
Examples: The children‘s toys, the men‘s shavers, the People‘s Palace.
5. Compound Possessive Nouns
Add an apostrophe and an ‘s’ to the last noun
Examples: My father-in-law‘s radio, John and Stephen‘s race to the top.
USING POSSESSIVE NOUNS
Remember therefore that in English, nouns and noun phrases usually form a possessive using the suffix -‘s. You will sometimes see this suffix referred to as the Saxon genitive.
It’s not wrong to use ‘of the‘ for the possessive and there are some instances where it’s acceptable. Usually, though, it’s best to avoid it as it sounds very old-fashioned and unnatural to English ears.
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